James Burge

9.1

slightly oxidative, but really maintained its acidity. marzapan and a little vanilla — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2000 vintage. Great fill and cork. Opened with a Durand and decanted. A little sed but manageable. tasted 40 minutes and 1.5 hours after opening. Medium body. 14% ABV on the label and not questioning it since this effort was throwing nearly zero heat. All secondary and tertiary impressions at this point and they were unified and present. Some dark fruit still but emphasis capably drawn towards the black olive, durty earth, finish. Really knitted together currently. Maybe another 5-spot in this guise? Maybe another decade? Hard to tell but showing beautifully now. 01.28.26. — 5 months ago

Pierre Gourinchas

9.4

Exceptional chateauneuf — a year ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.3

Smooth, soft tannins, something that could still sit for another few years or consumed now with a great smile. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Medium gold in color, slightly darker than the 86 Bonneau du Martray next to it. Heavy in the glass. Sweet floral nose. Notes of sweet kiwi fruit, lemon curd, apple cider and white acacia flowers. Lacked acidity at first but with many hours of air this powered up. Last sip was the best. I preferred the other whites to this, but was happy to see this improve so much during the evening. We discussed this being Vincent Leflaive’s last vintage, and sadly this was the last bottle in my cellar of 86 Leflaive. (Bday 4 of 12) — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Tasted blind. Light gold color. Leesy old white burg nose. Notes of stones, pit fruit, a little apricot and some honeydew melon. Luscious fruit in the mouth with fine grained acidity. Builds its impact with air. Great wine. Guessed 90 Bonneau du Martray CC. — 7 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.3

When trusty ol’ Rutherford Cab is in order this stuff does the trick perfectly. — 8 years ago

with Krystal

Jay Kline

9.6

I’ve said before that the wines of Chateau Rayas are almost singular in the AOC; certainly one of the purest expressions of Grenache in the world. However, there is another producer that for me, might be an even more archetypal expression of the character of Chateauneuf-du-Pape: Henri Bonneau. Henri’s wines were also predominately Grenache however, they are denser and darker, particularly the Cuvée Marie Beurrier. This is probably more to do with the small addition of other local varieties along with terroir for Mrie Beurrier (Courthézon). Henri had strong feelings about varieties, vine age and cellar practices. He didn’t really like Syrah in CdP (though he had a little of it). He didn’t like ancient vines (most were 30-50 years old and would be torn out and replanted if they were getting up there in the age range) and he believed in extended aging in wood, a collection of very old barrels and foudres. Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with his approach, the results were undeniably special.

Opened prior to dinner; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2000 “Cuvée Marie Beurrier” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!). Layered notes of dark brambles, black cherry, garrigue, dried red flowers, beef stew with all the veggies and mixed inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is forever long. This is tremendously well balanced and a wine that I just wanted to keep coming back to…and I did. Drink now through 2040. — 3 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Amigos cuu — 9 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

I made no notes at the restaurant so doing this from memory. Firstly when the menu is degustation, I never get the matching wine option, preferring to choose a bottle that goes with all courses as much as possible. This light to medium bodied Grenache fits the bill and ticks all the boxes - best district for Grenache in Australia; old vine Grenache, a terrific vintage in South Australia; and a hands off, alternate producer. Grenache can be such a chameleon from barely medium weight with stalky red fruits like this one, with a lovely red floral perfume, to full bodied versions like Rayas and Bonneau Celestins. Barb and I really enjoyed this. Also, Delectable, this was a Grenache Carignan blend - not offered in your database. Continuing our road trip through the Mornington Peninsula. — 3 years ago

Space

9.0

Выпито 17.01.21 в той же компании. Самый старый зинфандель - 2007 год, выпитый мной. Куплен в Вильнюсе у Арунаса. Достаточно крепкое 14,1%, чувствуются дубовые танины. Очень необычное. — 5 years ago

Byron Hewett

9.5

100% Grenache. Sweet red cherry fruit, garrigue and Provençal herbs. Second best to the ‘88 Bonneau Beurrier for me in this tasting. — 7 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.6

Tasted blind. Medium gold and like motor oil in the glass. Notes of lemon, lime blossoms, white stone and a little vanilla. Very glycerol in the mouth. Great balance of acidity against the fatness of the fruit. Long finish. I guessed 90 Bonneau du Martray CC. — 8 years ago

Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Winery owned by same majority owner of Screaming Eagle and Bonneau du Martray. A pleasant surprise at age 14, still incredibly fresh with a Burgundian flair and toasty reduction. Fleshes out gaining weight and detail with air. Most definitely drinks above its price point. — 4 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Gorgeous Pinot. Went well with elk filet — 6 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Brock thompson jordan john s kevin b — 8 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

A beauty. Needs a decant prior to consumption. A more linear style. Not fat and rich like Bonneau du Martray. — 2 years ago

Michael Greene

9.1

Dark fruit. Meaty. Crazy aromatic. — 5 years ago

Bryan Bielawski

9.5

Extremely distinctive CDP. Very finessed and elegant. Reminds me of Henri Bonneau. Still needs some time though so if drinking now decanting would be strongly recommended. — 6 years ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.4

Wedged in between the monumental 2005 and 2007 this wine is more delicate but again a true Rayas. Perfect balance, strong kirsch tones and this endless perfume which comes with a sexy Rayas. Reynaud and Bonneau two opposite wines, both great, for me forget all the rest in red chateauneuf. What a joy and privilege to be allowed to drink this. — 8 years ago